I'm heading Ireland for a 2 week trip. After reading up on the country and different sites I decided to spend a significant portion of the trip in the southwest/west (Killarney, Dingle, Galway, and Aran Islands) before heading up north to Donegal and then spending the final couple of days in Belfast and Dublin.
I've decided against renting a car and so will be utilizing public transportation. Does anyone have any recommendations for exploring the Ring of Kerry sans car? Are tours enjoyable or a frustrating shepherding of people from one place to another? Are private guides relatively affordable? I've found a bit of information online but would appreciate any insight from fellow travelers.
The Aran Islands intrigue me but I'm unsure if I should settle into a place in Galway and use it as a base or break up the stay and spend a night or two on the islands. What are the islands like after the last ferry leaves?
Also could anyone provide insight or suggestions for Donegal? I'd like to visit an area which is sightly outside of the normal tourist circuit with a bit of a different culture and Donegal seemed to fit those criteria.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a black cab tour (or something else) of Belfast's Troubles?
Finally are there any common Irish dishes which are vegetarian (no meat or fish and not egg based)? I always like to have a few local items in mind when I'm out eating so I don't have to quiz the waitstaff when I'm not in the mood.
Thank you!!